Sen. Sykes and Leader Yuko issue statements on first meeting of Ohio Redistricting Commission
August 6, 2021
Vernon Sykes News
COLUMBUS – Today, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) and state Senator Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) issued the following statements after the first organizational meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission:
“I was very pleased to appoint Sen. Sykes as co-chair of this commission because his decades of legislative experience give him the skills to act in a bipartisan, inclusive manner that meaningfully involves the public and advocacy groups,” said Senator Yuko. “Ohioans have been waiting over five years for today’s meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission to finally start the process of drawing fair legislative maps. The voters have spoken – they want to put an end to gerrymandering.” “Ohioans voted twice last decade to reform our redistricting processes. My goal is to cooperatively work with members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission to give the voters what they want – fair legislative and congressional districts,” Sykes said. “It is my hope we can work to draw maps in a bipartisan process that maximizes public participation. Together I believe we can end partisan gerrymandering and draw districts that are representative of Ohioans.” Today was the first meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Senator Sykes and House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) were named co-chairs. Other members of the commission include House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, Governor Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Senate President Matt Huffman, and Auditor Keith Faber. Ohioans in 2015 and 2018 overwhelmingly approved two constitutional amendments to reform the state’s redistricting process. These amendments came in response to maps drawn in 2011, which disproportionately favored Republican lawmakers. Senator Sykes jointly sponsored both pieces of legislation – Senate Joint Resolution 12 in 2014 and Senate Joint Resolution 5 in 2018.
The commission will soon announce dates for hearings throughout Ohio and a process for the public to give their input. This bipartisan commission is responsible for drawing legislative maps and may play a role in the drawing of congressional maps.
“I was very pleased to appoint Sen. Sykes as co-chair of this commission because his decades of legislative experience give him the skills to act in a bipartisan, inclusive manner that meaningfully involves the public and advocacy groups,” said Senator Yuko. “Ohioans have been waiting over five years for today’s meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission to finally start the process of drawing fair legislative maps. The voters have spoken – they want to put an end to gerrymandering.” “Ohioans voted twice last decade to reform our redistricting processes. My goal is to cooperatively work with members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission to give the voters what they want – fair legislative and congressional districts,” Sykes said. “It is my hope we can work to draw maps in a bipartisan process that maximizes public participation. Together I believe we can end partisan gerrymandering and draw districts that are representative of Ohioans.” Today was the first meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Senator Sykes and House Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) were named co-chairs. Other members of the commission include House Minority Leader Emilia Sykes, Governor Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Senate President Matt Huffman, and Auditor Keith Faber. Ohioans in 2015 and 2018 overwhelmingly approved two constitutional amendments to reform the state’s redistricting process. These amendments came in response to maps drawn in 2011, which disproportionately favored Republican lawmakers. Senator Sykes jointly sponsored both pieces of legislation – Senate Joint Resolution 12 in 2014 and Senate Joint Resolution 5 in 2018.
The commission will soon announce dates for hearings throughout Ohio and a process for the public to give their input. This bipartisan commission is responsible for drawing legislative maps and may play a role in the drawing of congressional maps.